Reader Beware
I have read over 60 different Star Wars novels and this was the least desirable by far. While quite proficient in writing technique, Steve Barnes lacks a basic comprehension of the Star Wars Universe and its icons. Characters, plot devices, and other known figures were inappropriately mocked or bastardized in context.
Examples of such perversion include using probe droids as offensive missiles, civilian pilot droids possessing knowledge of and reciting statistics concerning political hostage situations and survival rates, and the most absurd of all, Force sensitive bio-droids: non-sentient, but Force sensitive Dashta Eels were incorperated into the droids' processor units allowing the droids to perform with precognitive actions during combat in the same manner as a Jedi.
Other descriptions and plot lines seemed unimaginative and uninventive as well. The action is choppy, cut between unspecific and unnecessary political debate, which in and of itself does nothing to fuel the storyline or any excitement in the reader. Overall this book leaves one with the lingering wish of never having wasted one's time pretending that this author's misguided creation fits into the rest of the commonly acceptenced history of the Star Wars universe. -- Plagueis the Wise
- Well, you're entitled to your opinion, but I thought this didn't entirely suck. I found Jedi Trial was much worse. The Dashta eel plotline made absolutely no sense, and the politics were dull, but the whole development and martyrdom of Nate was very moving. Vornskrs use the force somewhat, and they're only semi-sentient. But I don't think the Jedi Trial authors or Steven Barnes are going to be writing for Star Wars again. You might want to put your objections in Star Wars inconsistencies, but try to keep it NPOV. -LtNOWIS 16:21, 10 Jul 2005 (UTC)
- The only thing I have found good in this book was when it talks about the lives of the Clones and clone commandos. THIS was truly interesting. Steven Barnes, write about CLONES in Star Wars, NOT Star Wars!!! --DarthCow--Talk| Email
- I couldn't agree more with Plagueis' assessment. And yet I found myself compelled to finish the otherwise dreadfully slow book for the sole reason of reading about Alpha-98/Nate/Jangotat. His portion of the story--a fantastic journey of self-revelation and among the first to feature a intelligent introspective look at he who is the clone trooper--is the one bright point in this book. Read it for Nate, if you must, but if you're looking for truly great clone-centric fiction, skip this and look to the Republic Commando works of Karen Traviss. Steven Barnes has quite a bit of potential and could do great things, if only he took a little time to learn a bit about his material.--Bella'Mia 02:14, October 14, 2009 (UTC)
- Is it truly worth finishing? Is the Nate resolution satisfying or simply have a tacked-on feeling? Of all the novels I own, this is the title that I dread to continue reading. It is so slow. On the flipside I actually enjoyed (well, from the parts that I've read) the Dashta eel plot as it reminded me of Desann's experiments from Jedi Outcast. Jartka'irn 11:43, October 30, 2009 (UTC)
- I couldn't agree more with Plagueis' assessment. And yet I found myself compelled to finish the otherwise dreadfully slow book for the sole reason of reading about Alpha-98/Nate/Jangotat. His portion of the story--a fantastic journey of self-revelation and among the first to feature a intelligent introspective look at he who is the clone trooper--is the one bright point in this book. Read it for Nate, if you must, but if you're looking for truly great clone-centric fiction, skip this and look to the Republic Commando works of Karen Traviss. Steven Barnes has quite a bit of potential and could do great things, if only he took a little time to learn a bit about his material.--Bella'Mia 02:14, October 14, 2009 (UTC)
- The only thing I have found good in this book was when it talks about the lives of the Clones and clone commandos. THIS was truly interesting. Steven Barnes, write about CLONES in Star Wars, NOT Star Wars!!! --DarthCow--Talk| Email
Beware Spelling?
Are the spelling errors in that excerpt from the paperback actually present in the original? If so, familiarity with the Star Wars universe is the least of its problems. Should I fix them or mark them [sic]? Enochf 10:10, 7 November 2006 (UTC)
- I don't think they are in the original, so I went ahead and changed them. --Xwing328(Talk) 19:50, 7 November 2006 (UTC)